No cars. No traffic. Just horse-drawn carriages, bicycles on Main Street, and Mackinac Island at peak autumn color. Two nights at the legendary Grand Hotel. We all meet in Detroit.
Few destinations capture the imagination quite like Mackinac Island in autumn. No cars. No traffic. Just the steady rhythm of horse-drawn carriages, bicycles on Main Street, and the breathtaking view of the Mackinac Bridge stretching across the straits.
Early October on Mackinac Island is widely considered the most beautiful time to visit. The maples blaze red and orange, the air turns crisp, and the summer crowds are long gone. We've timed this trip to catch the island at its absolute peak.
We're trading the coast for the cool air of the Great Lakes, with two nights at the legendary Grand Hotel right in the middle of it all. From there it's south to Frankenmuth for Bronner's Christmas Wonderland and the world-famous chicken dinner at Zehnder's. Six days well spent.
2 nights · Mackinac Island
The historic Grand Hotel, perched above the straits with the world's longest hotel porch — 660 feet of rocking chairs and a view of the Mackinac Bridge. Dinner in the main dining room is a tradition all its own.
After the island
Michigan's Little Bavaria — and home to Bronner's Christmas Wonderland (the world's largest Christmas store) plus the world-famous all-you-can-eat chicken dinner at Zehnder's, served since 1928.
Our adventure begins in Detroit. Fly in and we will meet you at the airport, where our motorcoach is waiting to head north. Tonight we stay in Gaylord, Michigan, about an hour short of Mackinaw City, and gather for a welcome dinner.
An early ferry across the straits — and your first glimpse of Mackinac. No cars. Just bicycles, horses, and the gentle clip-clop of carriages along Main Street. Time to explore the shops and sample the famous Mackinac fudge before checking into the Grand Hotel. Dinner in the Grand's main dining room.
A guided horse-drawn carriage tour of the island — Arch Rock, Fort Mackinac, and the winding lanes that make Mackinac feel frozen in the best possible way. The rest of the day is yours — bicycle the shoreline, settle on the porch, or wander into town. Dinner at the Grand.
One last breakfast at the Grand. Time for last-minute fudge stops before our afternoon ferry back to the mainland. We'll head south to Frankenmuth — Michigan's Little Bavaria — for an included dinner and overnight in town.
Bronner's Christmas Wonderland — the world's largest Christmas store. More than 50,000 trims, ornaments, and gifts. Then the main event: lunch at Zehnder's of Frankenmuth, home of the world-famous all-you-can-eat family-style chicken dinner served since 1928. Overnight near Detroit Airport.
After breakfast, transfer to Detroit Metropolitan Airport for your flight home. As we settle in, think back on it all — the Mackinac Bridge, the horses on Main Street, that porch, the chicken at Zehnder's, the ornament you couldn't leave Bronner's without.
No. You book your own flights into Detroit, which means you can use miles or fly from whichever airport is most convenient for you. We meet you at the airport and handle everything from there. Call me and I am glad to help you sort out flights.
Yes. Mackinac Island in autumn is one of our ladies-only getaways. Just us.
Moderate. Mackinac is wonderfully walkable but you'll choose your own pace — bikes are easy to rent, the porch is right there, and the carriage tour is fully seated.
Crisp. Days typically 55–65°F, evenings cool. Layers, a warm jacket, and comfortable walking shoes. The cool air is part of the magic.
$750 per person due at booking. Final payment by August 1, 2026.
Quad means four people sharing one room. Triple is three. Double is two. Single is your own room. Sharing brings the per-person cost down meaningfully.
Email Frances using the Reserve button, or call 931-801-9900. Space is limited.
Pricing per person, land only. Airfare into Detroit is not included.
$750 deposit due at booking · Final payment by August 1, 2026
Button not opening your email? Write to frances@tripsunlimited.com or call 931-801-9900.
Booking is handled securely through our Trips Unlimited reservation system. Prefer to talk it through first? Call me.
Travel insurance strongly recommended · Space is limited.
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